By Juliet Umeh
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry continues to post steady growth, powered by renewed government investment in infrastructure and rising consumer demand for digital services.
According to the latest figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, active mobile subscriptions climbed to 173.54 million in September 2025, up from 171.57 million recorded in August. The report also showed broadband penetration reaching 49.34 percent, representing 106.97 million high-speed connections, signaling the country’s accelerating progress toward its 70 percent broadband target under the National Broadband Plan, NBP, 2020–2025.
The data further revealed that internet subscriptions on GSM networks grew to 140.36 million, while overall teledensity stood at 80.05 percent, reinforcing the sector’s role as a key enabler of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Industry observers say the growth reflects the combined impact of private-sector investment and deliberate policy interventions from the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Minister of Communications, Dr. Bosun Tijani, recently reiterated the government’s commitment to deepening digital access nationwide through massive fibre infrastructure rollout.
“The President decided that as a nation, we will invest in 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic network across this country. Every corner of our nation will be covered,” Tijani stated.
The project, backed by a $500 million World Bank facility, is expected to be the largest of its kind in the Bank’s global portfolio. Tijani added that the government would also train 5,000 young Nigerians in fibre splicing, installation, and deployment, in partnership with local manufacturers like Coleman Wires and Cables, which recently unveiled West Africa’s largest fibre optic plant.
“This initiative will strengthen our broadband ecosystem while creating skilled jobs for Nigerians,” he said.
The NCC data further showed MTN Nigeria maintaining its market lead with 90.33 million subscribers (52.12 percent), followed by Airtel with 58.47 million (33.74 percent), Globacom with 21.39 million (12.34 percent), and T2 (formerly 9mobile) with 3.11 million (1.8 percent).
While 4G technology remains dominant with over 51.6 percent market share, 5G adoption continues to rise gradually at 3.4 percent, marking steady progress since its commercial rollout in 2022.
Despite a marginal dip in data traffic to 1.15 million terabytes, the telecom sector continues to play a vital role in Nigeria’s economy, contributing 9.2 percent to GDP in Q2 2025, up from 8.5 percent in Q1.
Analysts say the sustained growth underscores how targeted investment in digital infrastructure and human capacity is driving Nigeria’s next phase of connectivity and innovation.
“Connectivity is no longer a luxury, it’s the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy,” one analyst said. “With fibre expansion, local manufacturing, and broadband penetration nearing 50 percent, Nigeria is clearly building the foundations for inclusive digital prosperity.”
